specimens in every village. Here I secured one shell,
the Strombus latissimus, or “ thick-lipped strombus,”
that I had long been hoping to see. It lives in the
deep water between these shores and the opposite
coast of Ceram, and I could not hear that it is found
in any other locality. Many species of long u spindle-
shells (Fusi) are found here—some nearly smooth,
and some richly ornamented with tubercles.
I had now been on the island four weeks, and it
was time for the monthly mail to arrive, bringing me
letters from home. This exciting thought caused me
to forget even my passion for shells, and, promising
the natives I would come again and purchase all the
specimens they could collect, I returned to the city
of Amboina.
CHAPTER VI.
THE TTLIASSERS AND CERAM.
The arrival of the mail here, at Amboina, causes
a general rejoicing. Indeed, it is the only thing there
is to break the dull monotony of a residence in this
enervating climate, unless, as happened this month,
there is an earthquake, which affords a grand opportunity
for the old residents to describe to all newcomers
the fearful shocks they have experienced, and
this they invariably do with that peculiar kind of
semi-boasting with which a veteran fights over his
battles in the presence of raw recruits. The last
earthquake, which everybody witnessed, is referred
to very much as we at home speak of some violent
gale that has swept along the coast. Those who
would be weather-wise in our land here discuss
the various directions from which the different
shocks came—upon which there seems a considerable
variance of opinion, but I notice that generally each
company agrees with the highest dignitary present.
This was a fortunate mail for me It brouoght me
letters from home, and many American papers from
our consul at Batavia, who never failed to send me
the latest news all the time I was in any part of the
archipelago. Before the next mail my letters were
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